Abstract :
The e-mail said, “I am pleased to congratulate you on behalf of the IEEE Board of Directors on being named the recipient of 2012 IEEE Charles Proteus Steinmetz Award with the following citation: ‘for contributions to the preparation, dissemination, and advocacy of consensus safety standards for operation and maintenance of industrial and commercial power systems’.” I read it with total awe and disbelief: I called the sender to confirm it was not a practical joke. With the joy of this honor also came reflection and a trip downmemory lane.